Unconfined melt electrospinning from molten polymer experiencing an electric discharge to manipulate ion density and ionic conductivity*

Melt electrospinning is a promising way of achieving solvent-free mesoscale fibers for applications in tissue scaffolding, water filtration, and wound dressing; however, large fiber diameters is a persistent problem that must be understood. To address this, we are interested in the role of ionic conductivity in determining fiber diameter in melt electrospinning. We utilize an unconfined geometry where jets spontaneously form and organize on the edge of a melt-covered plate under the influence of the applied electrospinning electric field. Inspired by recent results from our group that show enhancement of ionic conductivity by additives resulted in reduced fiber diameter and by historical work on corona-assisted electrospraying, we controllably create a discharge near the plate edge to manipulate local ion density and alter the electrospinning process. This manipulation of local ion density by pulsed Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) altered the electrospinning process in a way similar to the addition of ionic additives, suggesting a temporary enhancement of ionic conductivity.